{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O78531"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78531/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM5175/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM5175/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AM5175","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O78531/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O78531","accessionNumber":"M.29-1997","objectType":"Button","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>In the late 18th century cut-steel buttons were very fashionable for gentlemen.  They were also very expensive.  The faceted studs with which they were set were designed to sparkle and reflect light.<br><br><b>Materials & Making</b><br>The most famous maker of cut-steel jewellery at the end of the 18th century was Matthew Boulton who was in partnership with John Fothergill from 1762 to 1781 and James Watt from 1775 to 1800.  Watts' 'rotative steam engine' was installed in the Soho Manufactory in Birmingham in 1788.  It was known as the 'Lap Engine' and drove the wheels used to grind and polish various steel wares including buttons, which were one of the principal products of Soho.<br><br><b>Design & Designing</b><br>The Boulton pattern books show many pages of designs for buttons and customers were supplied with cards of designs from which to make their choice.  In 1777 Boulton was charging 28 guineas for a full set of cut-steel buttons.  A caricature published in the same year entitled 'Steel buttons / Coup de Bouton' shows a fashionably dressed lady knocked backwards by the light reflected from the coat buttons of a gentleman.<br><br>","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Cut steel, the outer circle of beads individually riveted in place on a cast plate","categories":[{"text":"Accessories","id":"THES48998"},{"text":"Europeana Fashion Project","id":"THES265804"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AM5175"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"118E (VA)","id":"THES49228"},"free":"","case":"CA2","shelf":"","box":"14"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Button","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Birmingham","id":"x28748"},"association":{"text":"manufactured","id":"x29350"},"note":"probably"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1795","earliest":"1790-01-01","latest":"1799-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Mrs Barbara Gooddy","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"2.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions checked: Measured; 08/03/2000 by APS","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Probably manufactured in  Birmingham","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Steel button","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nCut steel buttons were an extremely expensive and fashionable dress accessory for men. In 1777, the 'Earl of W' was charged 28 guineas (£29.40) for a set. Customers were supplied with cards of designs from which to make their choice. Matthew Boulton's pattern books contain many pages of designs showing the variety and popularity of buttons.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["M.29-1997"],"accessionNumberNum":"29","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1997,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LN2774","2019LP2869","2019LR4986","2019LU8443"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-25","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}